Built in the early ’50s, Mike and Barbara Owens’ home in southwest Virginia had evolved with the times. However, the bookcase in their 12-by-15-foot den seemed to be stuck in a time warp. The couple contacted K.D. Forsha of KDaudio/Gent Electric in Bristol, TN, to modernize their entertainment setup, but with strict instructions to maintain the classic style.
“We told them to choose whatever TV size they wanted, and we’d find a way to make it fit,” says Forsha. A 50-inch Pioneer Elite plasma got the nod, along with a full Tannoy 5.1 surround-sound system. To make room for the new entertainment gear, Forsha enlisted the help of a professional crew of cabinetmakers from Kyte’s Custom Cabinets in Bristol, TN. Piece by piece, the team dismantled the cabinet, and rebuilt it according to Forsha’s specifications. While the craftsman retooled the cabinet, Forsha prepped the den with cabling and additional supports in the wall. With the revamped cabinet back in place, Forsha added acoustical foam to the new speaker niches to “prevent unwanted reverberation” and slid a rack of components behind a hinged door at the bottom of the unit. A pair of floorstanding speakers at the back of the room and a Logitech Harmony remote finished off the system, turning this once antiquated space into the family’s favorite spot to watch movies.